Which Mesa closest to VOX AC30?
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Nice! I'll go demo one this weekend. I've been listening to the solo in "Ten Years Gone" and it just blows me away. There is a distinct part of the solo up in the 15th and 17th fret that gets the tubes ringing so beautifully. Need to cop that sound.
RR
Well-known member
... just an observation but an AC30 Vox is a quartet of EL84s w/ 5AR4 rectifier tube.
Not familiar with LSS but I think at 33 watt mode its using the silicon rectifier, an Express is only silicon rectifier if I'm not mistake.
so that would leave us with the Maverick and Blue Angel. So one of these amps with Weber Blue Dogs. You could pay more for Celestion Blues if you like. But that's the closest you'll get with a MESA Boogie to an AC30 Vox I would think.
Was Page still using Supros after Zeppelin II? Page used many amps. He probably doesn't remember which amp he used. He does not recall if he used a 12-string Fender or Rickenbacker for "Stairway to Heaven". He got the Gibson double neck prior.
Not familiar with LSS but I think at 33 watt mode its using the silicon rectifier, an Express is only silicon rectifier if I'm not mistake.
so that would leave us with the Maverick and Blue Angel. So one of these amps with Weber Blue Dogs. You could pay more for Celestion Blues if you like. But that's the closest you'll get with a MESA Boogie to an AC30 Vox I would think.
Was Page still using Supros after Zeppelin II? Page used many amps. He probably doesn't remember which amp he used. He does not recall if he used a 12-string Fender or Rickenbacker for "Stairway to Heaven". He got the Gibson double neck prior.
Murphy Slaw
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Yep. 4; El84's, no master volume, tube rectifier.
I'm thinkin' Blue Angel.
Oh wait. That's MY amp.........
Best of luck.
Murph.
I'm thinkin' Blue Angel.
Oh wait. That's MY amp.........
Best of luck.
Murph.
take some el84s turn down the gain crank the master. most mesas have all the gain you need as well as all the gain you don't need. so in this case you dont want the preamp distortion to be interfering with the power amp distortion.
Oh and get some ear protection!!
WAHT?!!
Oh and get some ear protection!!
WAHT?!!
I believe Page used a Supro and a Tele on 1 and then switched to Vox AC30 for all subsequent studio work, but he probably played with plenty of different amps in studio overtime.
The Vox is a quartet of el84 and tube rectifier. I'm leaning towards the LSS because of the 5 watt class A option, which seems really cool.
I probably should wait to see what the new Mesa is all about as well in case it covers this ground.
The Vox is a quartet of el84 and tube rectifier. I'm leaning towards the LSS because of the 5 watt class A option, which seems really cool.
I probably should wait to see what the new Mesa is all about as well in case it covers this ground.
Ive got a Subway Rocket that gets that type of sound. Im not saying it will nail it but it does get close. This is a 2 EL84 amp, solid state rectifier. Very cool little amp to have around when you want to just run out and play. The other night I threw a guitar in a gig bag, the Subway in one hand and a small accesory bag in the other and I was good to go. I was glad when I got to the jam site cause I had to go up a winding staircase.
I have a LSS and an AC30H. and I did try (just for fun) to see if I can get the VOX tone.
There are many variation of VOX tones. I'm not sure which one Page was using. Of course the Celestion Blue is the other 50% of the VOX tone. The 3 most well known VOX voices are the EF86, Top Boost, and Normal. You can get close to the Normal channel. With EQ/clean boost you can get to the same country of the Top Boost. Meaning it's not even close enough but should do the trick for gigging purpose. Can't get that EF86 without, well an EF86 tube. Most VOX sound you hear in the mid-60s and on are probably top boost.
There are many variation of VOX tones. I'm not sure which one Page was using. Of course the Celestion Blue is the other 50% of the VOX tone. The 3 most well known VOX voices are the EF86, Top Boost, and Normal. You can get close to the Normal channel. With EQ/clean boost you can get to the same country of the Top Boost. Meaning it's not even close enough but should do the trick for gigging purpose. Can't get that EF86 without, well an EF86 tube. Most VOX sound you hear in the mid-60s and on are probably top boost.
Mountain Fever
Well-known member
I have the LSS and love the sound it has. I never found a way to make it really sound like the AC30 which has a sound I really like. So, I am going to Reno tomorrow to pick up my new AC30 Head and Cab with 2x12 "Blues". That should do the trick.
If you are trying to get the AC30 sound for recording as opposed to live, I would recommend the Tech 21 Liverpool which is really good at getting the AC30 sound close. But...it works far better into a recorder instead of an amp. I thought mine sounded too 'brittle' through my amps. They are about $150.00
FWIW--The LSS is really hard to beat for being able to be versatile. I am amazed at how many new sounds can be found just by fiddling with the control combinations.
If you are trying to get the AC30 sound for recording as opposed to live, I would recommend the Tech 21 Liverpool which is really good at getting the AC30 sound close. But...it works far better into a recorder instead of an amp. I thought mine sounded too 'brittle' through my amps. They are about $150.00
FWIW--The LSS is really hard to beat for being able to be versatile. I am amazed at how many new sounds can be found just by fiddling with the control combinations.
djw
Well-known member
FWIW... I've been fiddling around with Yellow Jackets in my LSC, paired with both 6L6s and 6V6s. Both combos sound great. I'm amazed at how apparent the EL84 character shines through, especially in the Clean channel cranked just a bit (like 2:00).
Put those YJs in the outer sockets and flip it to 50w mode, and all you have cooking are the EL84s, running at something like 25-30 watts. At that point it seems to depend on how I play, and it's easy to make it sound pretty damned AC30ish. The amp is very very responsive in this configuration, and seems to breathe through its teeth, if you will, in the same way the Vox always sounded to me.
The point is that if you aren't going to get a vintage Vox, you can probably get close with any of the amps listed above that use EL84s. I'm partial to the LSC because of the versatile configuration and power options, plus simple layout... LSS is good too, but perhaps less flexible. In any case, your emulation will depend on your playing style as much as, or more than, the amp's guts.
Put those YJs in the outer sockets and flip it to 50w mode, and all you have cooking are the EL84s, running at something like 25-30 watts. At that point it seems to depend on how I play, and it's easy to make it sound pretty damned AC30ish. The amp is very very responsive in this configuration, and seems to breathe through its teeth, if you will, in the same way the Vox always sounded to me.
The point is that if you aren't going to get a vintage Vox, you can probably get close with any of the amps listed above that use EL84s. I'm partial to the LSC because of the versatile configuration and power options, plus simple layout... LSS is good too, but perhaps less flexible. In any case, your emulation will depend on your playing style as much as, or more than, the amp's guts.
Dusty Rhodes
Well-known member
Didn't Page us a Supro for studio use in the '70's?
If so, find out what the tube compliment was and try and match that to a current Mesa.
Just a thought............
If so, find out what the tube compliment was and try and match that to a current Mesa.
Just a thought............
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